A lot of us have lawns or gardens here in Springville, Utah. And when it comes to summertime, we like to see these lawns and gardens flourishing. Bug Wranglers provides quality pest control in Springville, and we know that there is a certain menace that likes to feed on grass. These nuisances are called chinch bugs.
Grass-Eating Insects: What Is A Chinch Bug?
Chinch bugs are tiny insects that feed on grass. They travel in large groups, making them an infestation hazardBy biting grass blades and injecting toxins, they can kill an entire lawn if their population is big enough. Chinch bug damage can become untenable in the summer. They can even move more than 400 feet in under an hour, meaning they can infiltrate an entire neighborhood block.
Some important facts to know about chinch bugs:
- Young chinch bugs are red, but their coloration turns to black as adults.
- Chinch bugs have a white x-shape marking on their back.
- They average in size at about 1/4 of an inch long.
- They don’t often fly, though they can.
To find them, you can look in the thatch layer of a lawn. This is the layer between the soil and the tops of the grass blades. In the case of a larger chinch bug infestation, some will be sitting on grass blades to avoid the busy thatch layer.
Do Chinch Bugs Bite?
Chinch bugs target grass. They bite into the blades and suck out the nutrients, while wilt-causing toxins also transfer over from the bug.
Sometimes chinch bugs can confuse hair for grass. This means they might bite you, especially if an infestation gets too large. Larger chinch bug numbers mean they’re seeking more food, and if your hair looks like fresh grass, they’ll try it out. Luckily, chinch bug bites are not harmful at all. You might experience minor itching, but it won’t transfer any disease nor cause any other health problems.
Tips To Manage A Chinch Bug Infestation
Infestations are most common in the summer, but chinch bugs also like to hibernate in the grass during the winter. Chinch bug treatment options are:
- Irrigate your lawn to introduce moisture in the summer.
- Practice vigilant prevention in June or July.
- Encourage neighbors to practice prevention, too.
- Rake to remove hibernating chinch bugs from the thatch layer in the winter.
The first step you should try is to irrigate your lawn. If it’s raining one inch a week, that should suffice. Otherwise, try to get one inch out to the lawn through simple irrigation. Chinch bugs like hot, dry weather, so this simple water application can stall them.
Professional Chinch Bug Treatment in Springville
Chinch bugs may get out of hand in late summer no matter what you do. If you are seeing a bunch of them on your lawn, it’s best to call the pest control professionals to manage the infestation without damaging your lawn. Pesticides can be damaging or dangerous for homeowners to use, so rather than take your chances , let the professionals at Bug Wranglers help.
We at Bug Wranglers have a culture of entomological fascination that allows us to approach any pest infestation with the utmost efficiency. We are a family-oriented business that will provide services safe and convenient for you, your family, and your pets. Reach out to us to keep your lawn looking fresh, or for any pest concern in Springville.